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Day 3 and still no BM...

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/31/2013 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
So when I found out I had colitis over a year ago it all started because I was not able to go to the bathroom for over 10 days.  I was only able to get small amounts of phlem out.  I went into remission for 8 months and started having another flare in the beginning of December. 

I rarely ever have diahrrea, but the opposite problem with this.  I started out on 40 mg of prednisone, tapering by 5, got down to 20 mg and missed a dose.  Then went through another flare, and doc just upped me back to 30 mg.  I havn't had a BM and this is day 3.  Does anyone else have these types of problems?? 

Sometimes I wonder if I was diagnosed correctly, but the huge ulcers in my colon are hard to ignore.  I am just puzzled why I don't have the other symptoms, that everyone else seems to have.  Going to the bathroom all the time...

Feeling a bit frustrated today. 

Posted 1/31/2013 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
I've never experienced a lack of BMs but have a cousin who has IBS and actually gets sick from the lack of "movement".

Do you drink enough water?
There can be a great deal of absorption during the digestive process. Suggest you increase your daily intake.

Turned out my cousin has an abnormally long transverse colon which added to the problem.

Have you tried taking Metamucil or a similar product?
Posted 1/31/2013 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm...that is strange. Although, technically UC is inflammation of the colon. Most of us share some pretty characteristic symptoms, but I suppose you could have a very mild case of inflammation minus the D, blood, and urgency. This is a good thing.

The prednisone is probably slowing your bowel more than usual. I am currently on a high dose, and was a little worried this morning when I hadn't had a bm in a couple of day. Very rare for me. But when I finnaly went...it was the best bm i've had in months.

I know it must suck having so much built up in your GI track, but hopefully when you get off the prednisone things will return to normal.

How did your colonoscopy look when you were first diagnosed? I'm guessing you must have had one.

TJ
Posted 1/31/2013 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor just diagnosed me with both UC and IBS. It is possible that your constipation is due to IBS. There are forms of IBS that have diarrhea and forms of IBS that involve constipation. Sometimes they rotate back and forth. I'm betting that this is your problem.
Posted 1/31/2013 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
UC42 My colonoscopy looked horrible!! The specialist I went to told me I should consider having my colon removed after about a month after being out of the hospital, but did another endoscopy and by its results felt that I was improving enough to not have to have the surgury. I then went into remission for a good 8 months. Felt really good, was back to eating pretty normally and then the flare started again in December.
My doc has never once mentioned enermias or any of the other drugs I am reading about on here. Steroid and asacol is basically it.

I thought I would try to go gluten free to see if that helps, but I am struggling on figuring out what I can eat at this point during a flare. Since I am NOT going to the bathroom, maybe I should eat the foods that normally make people go a lot?
Also having a lot of stomach pain today, but 3 days worth of food still inside I imagine that might be why. I wondering if I should seek a new doc, or just keep trying to figure it out myself. Paying a doc $100 for them to not really help me is starting to frustrate me!
Posted 1/31/2013 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Ya...if your doctor is being proactive and helping you figure this out, better shop for a new one.

Finding the right GI doctor is a huge piece of the puzzle. Having the wrong one could cost years of your life when dealing with UC.

I hope you feel better soon. :)

TJ
Posted 1/31/2013 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks TJ. I hope to find the right GI Doc too! Have you used the enimas? And found reflief with them? I am wondering if they will help me to go to the bathroom. Although I don't feel plugged up or really like I have to go at all. Hmmm...

I hope you have a wonderful day and thanks for responding.
Posted 1/31/2013 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
My suggestion to reduce constipation is to eliminate most high fiber foods (oatmeal, raw carrots, etc).
Constipation is indeed a symptom of UC, because your gut just cannot process the food it comes to a screeching halt.

Eat some good oils like olive oil or coconut oil either by the spoonful or hiding it in a smoothie. An apple (no skin) could help too.
A mesalamine retention enema (Rowasa) is good since most UC'ers have inflammation at the bottom.

I've learned to how deal with both sides of UC the D(iarrhea) side and the C(onstipation) side.
I never have D anymore and rarely C because I know which foods make that happen.
I eat soluble fiber daily but not a lot of insoluble fiber and none of either when C shows up.
Posted 2/1/2013 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
I am actually worried too because I usually go 6-8 times a day but I have only gone two tiny movements in 48 hrs. I was not allowed to eat or drink for a portion of that time. But also I am on Cipro and Flagyl and still not going. Both of those always give me D. But they did a CT and didn't see anything like a blockage.
Posted 2/1/2013 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
I have used the enimas. When i'm having really bad urgency and lots of blood, they really help reduce the symptoms and heal the lower colon. Most UCers will always say, "heal from both ends."

It will definately help reduce your infammation, but probably not with your constipation.

I would have to agree with others and say a diet change, whether temporarily for your flare or permanent, would help out a lot.

But definately find a good GI you can work with. :)

Oh...one more thing...which i'm sure you already know, if your taking narcotics for any pain, they will definately slow your bowel down.

TJ
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